FTO HANDBOOK

Below are guidelines for FTO's regarding best practices for training recruits, as well as details on every item in the Skill Proficiency Checklist. All of the detail regarding each item need to be accounted for before an item can be checked off.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

1. For the first two or three ride-alongs, a recruit does need to be in the passenger seat observing. However, we need to get them in the driver's seat as soon as they are comfortable. They not only needs to pass off everything in their list, they need to get actual patrol experience.

2. When the numbers allow for it, creating small training scenarios is a great way to thoroughly teach a new skill. However, them performing that skill in a controlled environment does not warrant that skill being checked off. They need to prove proficiency in the field.

3. A recruit needs to be allowed to learn at their own pace. The goal is NOT to train a recruit quickly. The goal is to train them thoroughly. This is how we maintain our standard of professionalism.

4. Reference this handbook BEFORE checking an item off of a recruit's list. Make sure they actually know everything they need to know about each item.

5. Leave your name or badge # next to any comments you leave in the Recommendations for Improvement column.

PROFICIENCY CHECKLIST

MENUS, KEYBINDS, AND COMMANDS

1. Does the recruit understand the difference between the F-key menus and chat "/" commands?

2. Verify the recruit knows how to change radio channels correctly.

3. Does the recruit know how to properly navigate the F1 Radial Menu?

• Cuffing and uncuffing a suspect, and remembering to undrag the suspect before putting them in a vehicle, and uncuffing that

• suspect before jailing them.

• Jailing is done in minutes.

• Make sure they have practiced using the Fines menu, and that they understand to only click on their choice once.

• Make sure the recruit understands what Vehicle Info and Lockpick vehicle does under Vehicle Interaction.

• Have the recruit spend time messing with the Object Spawner. Have them practice setting up cones, barriers, and especially spike strips.

MDT OPERATION

1. Do they know where to look up information?

2. Do the know how to enter arrest reports, citations, and BOLOs?

3. Is their report writing clear, detailed, and grammatically correct?

PROPER RADAR OPERATION

1. Make sure the recruit knows how to activate and deactivate the radar using the /radar command.

2. Make sure the recruit understands all of the functions within the RADAR system.

• OPP: For measuring speed on vehicles travelling in the opposite direction of your patrol car.

• SAME: For measuring speed on vehicles travelling in the same direction of your patrol car.

• XMIT: For measuring speed on vehicles while your patrol car is at a stand still.

• SET FAST LIMIT: Sets the speed where the RADAR will notify you if a vehicle meets or exceeds that speed.

PROPER LIDAR OPERATION

1. Make sure the recruit knows how to activate and deactivate the radar using I by default.

2. Make sure the recruit understands all of the functions within the LiDAR system including the following:

• Tracking Vehicles

• Recalling Data

• Proper Positioning

• First and Third Person Operation

• Saving the Speed Event Record

DOCUMENT SYSTEM

1. Ensure the recruit knows how to write up citations, warrant requests, and bail conditions using the in-game document system.

RESPONSE AND REACTION TIME

1. In most cases, this is one of the last things to be checked off because it improves over time. We are looking to make sure recruits can react in a reasonable amount of time to calls, driving conditions, and events that take place around them. In other words,are they slow to react when things happen? If so, wait to check this item off. We DO NOT ewant them getting overwhelmed in the field. 

RADIO COMMUNICATIONS PROFICIENCY (PHONETIC ALPHABET AND NO 10 CODES)

1. Can the recruit communicate clearly, properly, and quickly on the radio? Make sure they can comfortably do the following with consistency.

• Use either the NATO or Law Enforcement Phonetic Alphabet consistently.

• Use plain English as opposed to 10 codes.

• Call out ALL needed information on the radio without missing details.

• Give out PROPER location information with correct directions of heading. (N, S, E, or W)

• Not forgetting to call out traffic stops or other events on the radio without being reminded.

TRAFFIC STOPS (SEVEN STEP VIOLATOR CONTACT)

1. Make sure the recruit can call out the following information on the radio correctly.

• Unit #

• Event (Traffic)

• Vehicle Information (Color and model if possible. If unsure, color and vehicle description.)

• License Plate # (Use Radar)

• Location (Includes Street, Direction of Heading, & Nearest Cross Street)

• Number of Occupants (If unknown, call out that it's unknown.)

2. Ensure the recruit angles their vehicle properly.

3. Make sure the recruit understands how to approach a vehicle safely, when to approach from the passenger side, and knows where to stand.

4. Make sure the recruit begins the traffic stop with the proper greeting. (Hello, I'm Trooper Jones with the San Andreas State Police.)

5. make sure the recruit then explains the reason for the stop using "YOU" statements. We do not want them asking people why they think they were pulled over.

6. Make sure the recruit asks for license and insurance information, then know how to run a name correctly. Also make sure they are checking the vehicle plate to make sure it is not stolen.

7. Make sure the recruit can deliver proper resolutions to the traffic stop. Verbal warnings, citations, and arrests. Make sure the recruit explains that a signature is needed on the citation, and that they deliver verbiage about a signature not being an admission of guilt, just an agreement to contact the courts or pay the ticket.

FELONY STOPS

1. Make sure the recruit can properly call out the event over the radio.

2. Make sure the recruit knows how to confidently give the correct commands to suspects. (Order out of vehicle, facing away from the officer with hands up.)

3. Make sure the recruit understands the correct vehicle positioning, and correct lethal and non-lethal contact.

STANDARDIZED FIELD SOBRIETY TESTING (SFST)

1. Make sure the recruit can perform a horizontal gaze nystagmus test, the nine step walk and turn test, and portable breath tests.

2. Make sure the recruit understands and advises each suspect that the results of field sobriety testing can not be used against them in court.

3. The legal limit in the state of San Andreas to operate a motor vehicle is 0.08 BAC.

TRAFFIC CONTROL (LANE CLOSURES, ROAD BLOCKS, ETC.)

1. Make sure the recruit understands how to effectively control traffic at different types of scenes. Make sure they are parking their vehicle in intelligent places.

MIRANDA WARNING (VERBATIM FROM SOP)

1. Make sure the recruit correctly recites the Miranda warning that is in the SOP, not their own version. Make the recommendation that they keep a readable version of it it within arm's reach.

2. Make sure the recruit understands when a suspect needs to be Mirandized.

INTERACTING WITH THE PUBLIC

1. Make sure recruits can effectively interact with different personality types.

INVESTIGATIVE QUESTIONING

1. Make sure recruits know how to effectively question people to gain as much info as possible out of that person.

APPLICATION OF SERVER PENAL CODES

1. This tends to come with time, but make sure the recruit knows what charges are available for them to use, and that they do not mischarge suspects.

2. Make sure the recruit is familiar with the speed limits in the state.

3. Make sure the recruit can correctly find charges using the MDT. Also verify that they understand the correct way to enter those charges into an arrest record.

INMATE PROCESSING

1. Ensure the recruit knows how to use the Jail Menu/Command and understands how to determine the amount of time a suspect needs to spend in jail.

BAIL PROCEDURES

1. Ensure the recruit knows how to handle the event of someone pleading not guilty to charges placed upon them. Ensure they know where to find the written procedure in the SASP Discord and that they can follow it.

CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION

1. Another item that comes with time, but make sure a recruit is able to figure out what happened at a crime scene by questioning witnesses, using clues around them, etc.

SCENE CONTROL

1. Make sure a recruit can keep scenes under control as far as traffic, separating parties, and not losing prisoners.

THREE TIERS OF POLICE ENCOUNTERS

1. Make sure recruits not only know the names of each tier, but can summarize the meaning of each.

USE OF FORCE CONTIUUM

1. Make sure the recruit knows each level of force, and when they should be used. Give them actual scenarios.

KNOWLEDGE OF ILLEGAL WEAPONS AND DRUGS

1. Make sure the recruit knows what weapons are illegal, what drugs are illegal, and in what amount.

HANDLING OF "MARKED BILLS"

1. Make sure the recruit understands that marked bill shouldn't be referred to as marked bills, and should be handled as cash found on a person.

EVIDENCE COLLECTION

1. Make sure the recruit understands how to collect evidence using evidence bags; and where to store evidence once it is collected.

EMERGENCY VEHILCE OPERATION

1. Make sure the recruit can operate the vehicle at code. Are they arriving safely, passing to the left, controlling their speed, and clearing intersections properly with varying siren tones.

VEHICLE PURSUITS (DRIVING, KNOWLEDGE OF POLICIES, AND RTO)

1. Can the recruit call out the proper info on the initial pursuit notification? (Vehicle Info, Plate, Initial Reason for the Stop, Location, Direction of Heading)

2. Can the recruit call out proper info during the pursuit while driving? (Location, Direction, Traffic, Road & Weather Conditions, Suspect Behavior)

3. Is the recruit driving safely during a pursuit? We should not be passing them off if they're constantly running into things, not clearing intersections, etc.

4. Can the recruit execute a PIT manuevar? Do they know when it's appropriate, and that they must have approval? Do they know what a supervisor needs to be aware of before a PIT can be approved?

5. Does the recruit know the department's pursuit policy?

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

1. Can the recruit control traffic flow, safely clear the road, and use investigative skills to determine the events of the accident?

DOMESTICS AND ASSAULT CALLS

1. Can the recruit effectively seperate parties, and properly maintain scene control while questiong all involved parties?

ROBBERY PRESENCE ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Make sure the recruit can comfortably announce their presence without sounding sheepish. It needs to be authoritative. While there is no script, they need to have a plan as far what they are going to say. It needs to sound practiced.

I've attached my script if they would like a reference.

"This is Trooper Smith with the San Andreas State Police. If there is anyone inside, I need you to make yourself known and come out

with your hands empty and raised. Please do so now."

ROBBERY STRATEGY

1. This takes time to pass off, because they need to prove that they can effectively strategize how to handle a robbery with preservation of life in mind. Do they understand the layout of the stores AND BANKS in the state? Do they know where suspects might be hiding? Do they use all of the tools at their disposal to try to resolve the situation as peacefully as possible?

BUILDING CLEARING

1. The recruit needs to understand stacking procedures, direction of focus, and how to call out threats. They also need to prove they can act as a team lead in this situation.

SMART TASER PROFICIENCY

1. Make sure the recruit understands that the Smart TASER has two prongs. Those prongs once connected with a suspect will need to be disconnected by hitting R to reload.

2. Make sure the recruit understands that once a prong is connected, they can continue to tase a subject until they have them under control and in custody.

3. Make sure they understand that this system should not be abused, and that we should only tase someone as much as we need to get them into our custody, but not more than that.

FIREARM PROFIECIENCY

1. The recruit needs to prove they are able to effectively use all weapons, as well as understand when it is and isn't appropriate to use the weapon. They also need to prove they understand how to RP that they are pulling out each weapon. Pistol, TASER, and Baton can be pulled from their person. Other weapons must be taken from the vehicle before use.